Automotive Service Technician Foundation Harmonized Certificate

Learn and hone essential skills from brake system servicing and steering to suspension service, wheel alignment, electronic systems and more as you earn apprenticeship technical training credit toward Interprovincial (Red Seal) certification. You’ll be prepared for a wide range of opportunities in the mechanics trade from automotive service technician and parts technician to service writer or service manager.

Completion Requirements

Students will be required to achieve 70% in each course to achieve program completion.

Admission Requirements

C in one of English 10, Composition 10, Creative Writing 10, Literary Studies 10, New Media 10, Spoken Language 10, English First Peoples Writing 10, English First Peoples Literary Studies 10, English First Peoples New Media 10, English First Peoples Spoken Language 10, or NIC ENG-035, or C+ in Communications 12, or C+ in ESL-051, ESL-054, and ESL-057, or CLB 7; or successful NIC assessment testing in English; and

High School graduation is preferred provided the applicant meets or exceeds the stated prerequisites.

To Be Successful

You are encouraged to contact the instructor for an in-person or telephone interview. The purpose of the interview is to provide advice, answer questions about the program and discuss various career fields and choices.

Many employers require Grade 12 completion as an employment standard. If you do not meet this requirement we encourage you to contact an educational advisor to discuss upgrading or Grade 12 completion options offered at NIC. In addition to the stated prerequisites secondary school equivalent courses in science, physics, and drafting are considered an asset.

The most important key to success is the desire to become a quality trades person. The traditional values of hard work, reliability, positive attitude and the desire to do quality work are essential to succeed in the program.

Trades programs require good hand-eye coordination, good binocular vision, strong abilities in spatial and mechanical reasoning along with good math and communication skills.

There is also an expectation of physical activities such as lifting, working on ladders and scaffolding or in confined spaces and under various weather conditions.

Program Highlights

North Island College follows the provincial Automotive Service Technician (AST) training program. Curriculum concentrates on areas that have been identified by the BC automotive industry and the national Red Seal standard as being most important for new employees entering the trade.

You will train in a shop similar to that found in a normal work environment in order to develop the necessary skills to succeed. Special emphasis is placed on brake system servicing; steering, suspension service and wheel alignment; scheduled vehicle service; vehicle electrical and electronic systems; safety; and troubleshooting techniques.

On successful completion of this program, you will be eligible to write the Certificate of Qualification exams for Automotive Service Technician I. Upon entering into an apprenticeship you will also receive a 450-hour time credit from the ITA toward the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

Launch your career

Upon completion of the Automotive Service Technician Foundation program, you will discover a wide range of employment opportunities within this trade or in related areas. Career positions may include, but are not limited to, automotive service technician apprentice, lube technician, tire repair technician, service writer and parts person.

Supply List

Personal Protection Equipment

Safety Glasses

Coveralls

Steel Toed Boots – CSA approved

Welding helmet, goggles, gloves

Classroom Supplies

Padlock or Combination Lock

3 ring binder

Loose leaf paper and graph paper

Pen/ pencil/ hi-liter

Scientific Calculator (optional)

In addition, NIC is pleased to make shop tools available to students in exchange for a $100 refundable tool deposit, which is not included in your tuition. It will be returned at the end of the term if all tools and tags are returned in an acceptable condition. Tools will not be distributed without proof of payment from the Registration office.

Tuition & Costs Estimate

Additional fees may also include necessary equipment, supplies, NIC appointed uniforms, or field trips not included in these estimates.

While we do our best to share accurate and timely fee information, changes may occur. For more information, visit our tuition page.

Domestic Fees

Tuition

$2,355

NISU Fees

$110

Lab Fees

$155

Books

$410

Learner Resource

$125

Health and Dental

$275

Total

$3,430

Full-time
students are automatically enrolled in the mandatory Health and Dental Benefit plan ($275).